90 Tasting Notes
Our Rooibus Herbal Blend also has a touch of honey in the dry bag. Rooibus doesn’t have a robust smell in general, so you’ll be hard pressed to discern the particulari-teas of this aroma. There seems to be bits of ginger, mint, and lemongrass mixed in here, but whether it’s in or out of the cup, the scent is so faint and… Well, blended–though it remains to be seen if the tea is actually well-blended. (Another engineering note: rooibus does not do well in this type of bag. Before we were in range of the kettle, twigs were poking out and trying to escape.)
The first sip gives us a savory garden tea. Take it on a brisk walk in nature or something, where your surroundings will be more exciting. The mulch-y rooibus carries it all here, but in truth… Full review: snooteablog.com/2013/08/13/snooty-tea-review-simpsons-tea/
If you were browsing the Simpson’s collection blindfolded, this is another one that would throw you for a loop. Their Mint Herbal Blend is so blended that you don’t get a wisp of mint! It’s just honeyed chamomile all the way. Before you steep it, you wonder why they don’t just call it, “Soothing Herbal Blend” or some more fitting moniker–but after that hot water hits, the mint bursts out in full force and you can rest assured that no one mislabeled your tea.
And with a blend like this, rest is definitely happening. Chamomile and mint make for sleepytime, so don’t take this as your morning tea. There is a lot of chamomile in here. From the first sip…
Full review: snooteablog.com/2013/08/13/snooty-tea-review-simpsons-tea/
Earl Grey pretends it’s exactly the same as English Breakfast when it’s a dry tea. No bergamot fragrance at all, nothing that would hint at the flavor profile expected from one of these classically British blends. Just a lot of Ceylon at your nosehairs. (What a contrast to our swishy Lord Bergamot from the other week!) The aroma remains quiet as you let it steep; you can only catch wind of the citrus if you lower your nose in and breathe deeeeeeeeep. Having been packed in plastic with the other samples, it’s possible that much of the scent and strength of the tea had already left before making it to the review–but come on. It’s only been a couple of weeks.
You’d never know this was Earl Grey unless… Full review: snooteablog.com/2013/08/13/snooty-tea-review-simpsons-tea/
In the bag, English Breakfast is a pretty quiet damsel. Just a bit of smoke–you can hardly call it smoke, even, more like the embers left burning after the fire has gone out. Once steeped, that lovely English Breakfast maltiness pokes out, going, “Hello, how are you doing this fine morning?” Nothing sweet here, just the rousing wakeup call to get started on the day. (On an engineering note, Simpson’s may want to look into bigger bags or fewer leaves. By the time this one was done steeping, the tea was trying to burst out of its compartment and had no room left to breathe.)
Like all those derived from South Asian blacks, English Breakfast is not a tea that you want to oversteep. Otherwise… Full review: snooteablog.com/2013/08/13/snooty-tea-review-simpsons-tea/
The rooibus and honeybush are all up in their mulch-y-ness, but this dry-smelling tea seems to be more of a savannah than an oasis. In this savannah, you have to scrape at the ground for any additional sweetness. There’s a hint of coconut. Maybe. Some of the dust settles when it’s steeped, but you better pack a canteen of water with this drink.
Luckily, the missing fruit emerges when you give it a taste. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of rosehip tea, this one may be a satisfactory stand-in, but only if you really like rooibus… Full review: http://snooteablog.com/2013/07/23/snooty-tea-review-steven-smith-tea-round-3/
Peppermint Leaves needs no introduction. It is exactly what they say it is: peppermint leaves. In a bag. For tea.
It just so happens that these leaves are magical things, housing a Wonderland of scent and taste where peppermint is the ruling Queen. Her King Consort? Mr. Freeze. The minty-ness makes no secret of itself, and before it’s even steeped, your senses are awash in its powerful cry. Ditch your Tic Tacs and your Listerine.
You aren’t sipping peppermint leaves. These are truly Peppermint Leaves… Full review: http://snooteablog.com/2013/07/23/snooty-tea-review-steven-smith-tea-round-3/
Meadow is magic.
There, I said it.
Full review: http://snooteablog.com/2013/07/23/snooty-tea-review-steven-smith-tea-round-3/
Big Hibiscus comes to you with a very odd smell in the bag. Initially you get the lush, rich hibiscus to be sure, hung with the accents of elderflower and rose like a particularly favored courtesan. Yet there’s this strange mustiness that you just can’t shake off. It’s the fault of the Indian sarsaparilla, most likely. In the cup–which yields a very seductive wine-y liquor–this off smell dies down and you can discern more of the ginger. (Mm, ginger. Smith has definitely caught on to how ginger goes well with everything.)
What a punch! In every sense of the word. This courtesan has some wild proclivi-teas, and she’s more than ready to show you how it’s done… Full review: http://snooteablog.com/2013/07/23/snooty-tea-review-steven-smith-tea-round-3/
With one whiff of Jasmine Silver Tip, you’ve got the full floral parade. Dare I even call it… soapy? Seems to be all about the jasmine and none about the tea. Oh dear. This doesn’t disappear when steeped, but at least the odor fades a bit–just a bit, mind you, ’cause this flower damsel really doesn’t want to budge–hopefully to make way for some solid green flavor. (Though seeing as it’s called Silver Tip, it’s possible that you’ll have more of a white-y cup after all.) As with many jasmine teas, this one leaves you rubbing your fingers on the nearest napkin, trying to get rid of the oily feeling from the perfume.
Sip up, floral lovers, because this will be your happy hour. Floral haters to the back; you’ll get more out of Fez or one of Smith’s nice, twisty blacks…. Full review: http://snooteablog.com/2013/07/20/snooty-tea-review-steven-smith-tea-round-2/
